Nursery graduation

Yeah it’s pretty silly. If everything is special then nothing is special.

Agree.

DD’s nursery held a graduation, they had a year book and for presented with a certificate and a teddy, in the book they were all holding a chalkboard with what they wanted to do when they grew up.

I thought it was absolutely adorable. Not necessary, but completely harmless all the same.

No it doesn't make you a shit parent...but going to them isn't unreasonable either. I went to my child's nursery leavers ceremony and it was a total delight - the kids were besides themselves with excitement and happiness. This kind of ceremony can help children with the transition between nursery and primary and is utterly harmless. It is not compulsory for parents to go and many of the adults at ours were grandparents, aunts, uncles etc.

What's wrong with marking them leaving preschool? Each of my children spent 3.5 years at their nursery with the same group of friends. Moving on was a big thing. So they mumble a little poem and sing a few songs, wear a gown and eat cake. It's cute, everyone has fun. Nobody thinks it is an educational achievement!

If everything is special then nothing is special.

I don’t think it’s going to take the shine off when DD graduates from university!

It's an important milestone in their little lives. I recently went to my daughters and I have to say I found it emotional too, didn't think I would but she is my first to go to primary and it is important to her. All the kids were super excited sad have a little concert. It doesn't do anybody any harm and the kids feel special and important. I think it's important to celebrate small achievements as well as big ones.

If you don’t sign into that kind of thing YANBU but to judge others YABU. Leaving nursery and starting school is a big transition for young children, some of them won’t even be 4 yet! What’s wrong with having a little event for it?

It's just a bit of fun

Dunno noselimit if they’ve already been through a graduation every time they moved up a school maybe it actually would. Gonna be honest that despite my misery on graduation day due to my awful Desmond I was pretty excited to get to wear the hat and gown because it was a novel experience for me.

My DS2 is having a graduation ceremony at his nursery and it's actually quite sweet I think. I wouldn't bother taking time off from work if I wasn't off already for it though!

I don't think it's a celebration of everything at all. When I left primary school and high school in the 90's we had leavers parties It's all just a bit more commercial now, but the same idea. Just let people have their fun.

Why are they feeling guilty for taking time off work? Surely they have an annual leave allowance that is theirs to use as they wish?

There are professional women at work taking time off for this and feeling guilty for it.

I took a days leave for DD's. I didn't feel guilt. Why would anyone fee guilt for taking time off that they are entitled to? How odd OP.

And..why is it just "professional women at work" taking time off and not the male parents too? Both me and my child's dad went to theirs. Both of us took time off work...neither of us felt guilty. Bit strange to feel guilty for taking an annual leave afternoon.

My little one (not biologically mine - has been placed with me )has been to his this evening, they got the chance to dress up and feel special, they had a disco and some party food and he really enjoyed it. He has come on leaps and bounds since starting at the preschool, from being an introverted under achiever to being a happy and confident little boy whose abilities are on par with his peers. He has done so well there and has got a group of friends he will be going up to nursery with, for them it is a really big thing to be taking the next step in growing up. I watched him dance and laugh and really have fun, so tell me what is wrong with that?

Generally I'd agree with some of your points about over hyping things but for me nursery graduation was really special. That place taught my DD to talk, walk, eat independently, write, sing, etc etc after 4 years it was a massive part of our lives and it was sad to be leaving and special to see how far they had all come. I honestly cannot underestimate the impact nursery had on us as a family. Also was crying with relief about not having the fees anymore 😂

I think they’re cute. What’s wrong with adopting American ways that involve celebrating family? Does no harm and makes someone you love feel special

I'm with you OP and don't get me started on those stupid gowns and hats some places make them wear, it's so cringeworthy.

@LadyRussell
There are professional women at work taking time off for this and feeling guilty for it.
Are you sure all these women do feel guilty or are you suggesting that they should feel guilty for taking time off to attend this as you don't view it as worthwhile? Either way I think you're wrong and lots of parents (fathers and mothers) would welcome the opportunity to celebrate such a milestone in their children's life and would not feel guilty about using annual leave that they are legally entitled to.

You'd hate it here in Germany. They don't just have a nursery leaving thing, they also have a big celebration on the first day of school, parents and grandparents come and there's cake and a church service and they get these big paper comes filled with school supplies and toys and sweets. It's massive. I don't know. I've had two graduations and other than seeing colleagues again one last time I found them pretty pointless, I think a good ceremony is something a little one would enjoy far more!

I’m with you OP - certificates for everything now. Don’t have DCs myself but remember a friend put a picture of her daughter on Facebook with a certificate for her first haircut! Ridiculous.